TALLINN, ESTONIA — Grain production in Estonia is forecast at 1.5 million tonnes in marketing year 2021-22, a 6% decrease from the previous year, according to a June 17 Global Agricultural Information Service report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The USDA said it anticipates a return to more average production for all grain varieties in the former Soviet Union country as cold spring temperatures have slowed both winter and spring plant development.

The grains included in the projected production total are wheat, rye, mixed grains, triticale, barley, corn and oats.

In 2020-21, Estonian farmers capitalized on higher international wheat prices for the second consecutive year, the report noted. During the first nine months of the current marketing year, wheat exports reached 561,000 tonnes, only 11.5% below the previous year’s record.

Wheat planted area is forecast to rise by nearly 8% in 2021-22 as farmers look to take advantage of high prices.